Compiled by Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police
Jan 9-14

Jan. 9, 6:10 a.m.
Burglary in the 500 block of University Avenue. Officers were tripped to an alarm at Fifield Pharmacy, located at 501 University Ave. Upon arrival officers found the west door lock had been broken and the south door had glass broken out. Officers did a sweep of the building and no suspect(s) were found. The owner arrived and reported that duragesic (narcotic pain) patches had been taken. No cash was stolen.

Jan. 9, 8 to 11 a.m.
Criminal mischief in the 4900 block of University Avenue. The reporting person stated that unknown suspect(s) struck a headstone with some type of vehicle. There was damage to the top and base of the stone valued at more than $500. The headstone was located in block K, lot 270.

Jan. 9, 8:19 p.m.
Robbery in the 100 block of Watrous Avenue. Upon arrival officers spoke with the assistant manager of Git-n-Go, located at 100 Watrous Ave. She stated that two hispanic females pulled up in a teal colored vehicle and put $41 worth of gas in their vehicle and started to pull away. The assistant manager stepped in front of the car to write down the license plate number while they were stopped but there was no plate. The assistant manager heard the passenger say, “just run her over.” The driver accelerated and the assistant manager stepped out of the way but the vehicle struck her hand and knee. There were no injuries to the assistant manager, but a security video captured the incident.

Jan. 14, 7:55 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.
Burglary in the 2400 block of Capitol Avenue. The victim returned home and observed the side door had been kicked in. A pillowcase was taken along with multiple items including: a gold diamond ring, a medallion, one silver ring, one gold bracelet and two baby diamond necklaces, valued at more than $4,000. No witnesses or suspect(s) at this time.

BUSTED

Name: Timothy Joseph O’Connor
The story: After being arrested for disturbing the peace, O’Connor began verbally assaulting the police officers as they led him to the transport wagon. Once inside the wagon, O’Connor continued the verbal assault and made a sudden movement attempting to head butt an officer. The officer restrained O’Connor by grabbing his neck to prevent another head butt attempt. The officer pulled away from O’Connor after he attempted another head butt. Officers restrained O’Connor against a bench inside the van. O’Connor tried unsuccessfully to kick the officers as he continued with his verbal assault, and was transported to the Polk County Jail.

DOCKET DIVING

The following item is from a recent ruling made by the Iowa Court of Appeals regarding the case of the State of Iowa vs. Dennis Ray House.

“Dennis House appeals his conviction for invasion of privacy.

“On July 19, 2005, an off-duty deputy sheriff was in a Super Target store in Urbandale. The deputy observed Dennis House extend his hand underneath the skirt of a 13-year-old girl. The deputy then saw House place something inside his pants. The deputy contacted store security and House was taken to the security office. After a pat down search a mirror was found in House’s pants. House was charged with invasion of privacy.

“The State alleged House used the mirror to look underneath the minor’s skirt. She testified she never saw House, did not know he had looked under her skirt with a mirror and did not give him permission to look under her skirt. There was no investigation at the time as to what House could have seen with his mirror. House was convicted of invasion of privacy, an aggravated misdemeanor. As he had two previous convictions for indecent exposure, he was subject to a sentencing enhancement. House was sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 10 years, which may not be reduced by more than 15 percent.

“House appeals his conviction and sentence and contends there is insufficient evidence in the record to show he committed the crime of invasion of privacy. A guilty verdict is binding on appeal, unless there is not substantial evidence in the record to support it, or the verdict is clearly against the weight of the evidence. Substantial evidence means evidence that could convince a rational fact finder that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. While we find House’s actions were despicable, we also find there is insufficient evidence in the record to show beyond a reasonable doubt that he violated all the elements required.

“We therefore conclude House’s conviction for invasion of privacy should be reversed based on insufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction. Due to our conclusion on this issue, we do not need to address the other issues raised on appeal.”

MISSING

Name: Kyanja K. Vanwey
Age at report: 18
Age now: 20
Weight: 210 lbs.
Height: 5’6”
Race: White
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Sex: Female
Incident Type: Endangered/physical

Kyanja Vanwey was reported missing to the Des Moines Police Department on Jan. 4, 2006. She has a scar on her right hand between her thumb and forefinger. Her nicknames are Kiki and Keri. If you have any information on Kyanja, contact the Des Moines Police Department at 283-4811 or the Missing Person Information Clearninghouse Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (800) 346-5507.

From the Missing Person Information Web site: http://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/mpic .

7.3 : The percent of families in Iowa that were below the poverty level in 2006.

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